Strand Palace, one of London’s most iconic hotels for over 112 years is opening its public spaces to some of the most talented students from Wimbledon College of Arts, University of the Arts London (UAL) for a spectacular exhibition of their final degree pieces.

From July 6th throughout the summer, these students, and innovators of tomorrow in art, design, fashion, communication, media and performing arts will be displaying some of their best, most innovative and exciting pieces. Work will be displayed throughout the ground floor spaces as well as the hotel’s exterior units, transforming the walkway into a breath-taking exhibition for passers-by to observe & enjoy.

The installations provide a high-profile location with heavy footfall for the students to show their hardwork and talent, as due to COVID restrictions, students from the UAL Graduate Showcase have been denied the opportunity to exhibit their work at the college over the last two final terms.

Works on display at the hotel include a combination of pieces from Wimbledon’s BA Costume for Theatre and Screen, BA Production Arts for Screen and BA Theatre Design courses, all curated to form fascinating and thought-provoking art installations.

The hotel’s public spaces will be showcasing an array of incredible models and illustrations from the BA Costume for Theatre and Screen. Students on the course are exposed to a broad range of professional working practices for theatre and film. Full costumes for production can be viewed throughout the ground floor lobby including intricate special effects models, set design maquettes and props and boards detailing the creative process.

Highlights on display include work inspired by ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’; Elektra, the Opera by Richard Strauss and a reproduction of the 1924 Lanvin ‘Robe de Style’.

Suzie Davies’s magnificent 1920s Bottle Green Velvet Cocoon Coat with Faux Fur Trim and Satin Slip Dress sits proudly on a plinth in the hotel’s main foyer – an instant showstopper on arrival.

The work is inspired by Les Liaisons Dangereuses’ character Marquise de Merteuil, the concept behind the piece is the exploration of morality and façade, using Art Deco motifs to symbolise more progressive motifs. A perfect fit for the hotel, who’s extensive redevelopment in the roaring twenties transformed it into an Art Deco showcase.

Issy Valerio’s magnificent Black Velvet bias cut dress with red satin lining for the character, Clytemnestra is inspired by the expressionist movement that emerged from Weimar Germany in the 1920s. The work is a modern take on expressionist films set in a Berlin cabaret.

Eleanor Parkes’ dress on display in the hotel’s restaurant is inspired by Couturier Jeanne Lanvin in the 1920s, as an alternative to the tube-shaped shift dresses fashionable at the time.

The hotel’s exterior spaces viewed from the street include a host of colourful costumes, vibrant headdresses, a model making desk that features the set for Mojo for the Royal Court downstairs, technical drawings and set design projects from the BA Production Arts for Screen.

A standout piece that is sure to have passers-by stop and stare in delight is the duchess satin and hand painted cotton suit for Scott Joplin’s opera, Treemonisha. Created by Sofia Videira Pinto, the piece is inspired by the first African American Pilot, Bessie Coleman. In black duchess satin and hand painted cotton in bright and lively colours, the garment is composed by quilted panels, honouring the African American quilting tradition that was so important in the freedom and emancipation of the communities in the Postebellum South.

Throughout the hotel’s interior and exterior spaces are works from the BA Production Arts for Screen at Wimbledon College of Arts. This shows the skills required in contemporary set design and prop making. Among the work on display is concept art, technical drawing, model making and sculpture. The work demonstrates the breadth of techniques used by designers and makers in the field of screen-based entertainment.

Some of the standout pieces on display are from Alfie Lloyd. Alfie calls his Graduate Showcase 2021 project ‘Circadia’. His aim for this project has been to create an immersive digital sci-fi environment, in a space-station scene placed in a fictional 80s-90s period. ‘Circadia’ refers to the concept of a 24-hour recurring time-loop that will eventually become a narrative component.

Matthew Beard, Cluster Managing Director at Strand Palace said:

“We’re thrilled to provide a space to students from the UAL graduate showcase to exhibit their work after what has been a challenging year.

“The pandemic has affected all sectors, particularly hospitality and the arts, making this partnership between Strand Palace and UAL so very special and meaningful. We hope to provide a platform to the newest names and shining young stars in the arts.

“We’re also very excited to provide added value and a cultural experience for guest and visitors to the hotel and are so looking forward to their reactions to the incredible artwork on display.”

Speaking about the project, David Crow, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of Colleges for Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon, said:

“I am enormously proud of our graduating students who have worked to achieve so much in what has been a very challenging time. All of us at UAL are delighted that people in London can see their creative work on show and celebrate their achievements. I am also pleased our students can take part in this opportunity to highlight London’s role as a leading cultural centre and an incubator of the next generation of talented creatives.”

The UAL collaboration project was created by the Cheapside Business Alliance, the EC Partnership and the Northbank BID – business collectives working to enhance their local areas and drive local economic growth. More than 100 students’ courses will have their final degree pieces exhibited in 30 sites across the City of London